A Wildfire Is Burning Near Blanca Peak

Emergency responders are on the scene of the fire near Great Sand Dunes National Park.

The start to this year's Colorado wildfire season has been relatively quiet. Aside from a couple of fires, most caused by lightning strikes, there's been considerably less wildfire activity than the last couple of years. Those drought-stricken years were some of the worst on record. This winter and spring extra-wet weather and the record-setting snowcap ended the long Colorado drought and has helped keep wildfires in check.

There is a new wildfire burning near the Great Dunes National Park on Mount Blanca, one of Colorado's famous "14teener" peaks. There are about two dozen firefighters and air support personnel working the growing wildfire near the base of the mountain. Two planes plus a helicopter are making regular drops to help extinguish the "Tobin Fire" as it's now being referred to.

At last report, the Costilla County Sheriff’s Office reported that fire had consumed only about 5 acres as of Tuesday afternoon. No word as to when the fire may be under control.